Minister for Defence Materiel Dr Mike Kelly AM MP, today announced that Defence has signed two multi-million dollar contracts with L-3 Oceania for the supply and support of satellite terminals to the Australian Defence Force. 

Dr Kelly said L-3 Oceania was selected through an open tender process for a military-off-the-shelf solution that was certified for use on the Wideband Global Satellite System. 

“The JP 2008 Phase 3H Acquisition Contract will acquire 51 terminals, 30 deployment kits, spares and test equipment at a value of nearly $32 million,” Dr Kelly said.

“A separate performance based in-service support contract will provide integrated logistics support, engineering services, supply support services, maintenance services and training at a value of around $7 million over three years.”

JP 2008 Phase 3H forms part of a coordinated set of projects seeking to deploy an integrated Wideband Global Satellite communications capability into the ADF.

“This will be achieved by the linking of sensors, weapon systems, and commanders to their respective command and control systems,” Dr Kelly said. 

The project will expand the use of the Wideband Global Satellite system by introducing medium-sized WGS-certified transportable satellite terminals to ADF land forces.

This will allow the earlier use of enhanced satellite communications services in Australia and also in key operational areas where commercial satellite resources are limited.

The capability is scheduled for delivery in 2014.

Media contacts:

Dr Kelly’s office: Robbie Rynehart (02) 6277 7730 or 0459 810 654

Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999